topic What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"? in Home

What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

house_cat — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:40:20 GMT

In my home, we barely celebrate Christmas at Christmastime. We rarely exchange gifts and sometimes don't bother with a tree.

Having said that... I always seem to get the Christmas spirit this time of year. I think it's because I'm an introvert and a homebody and summertime takes me out of my comfort zone.

Do you like the "Christmas in July" programming?

What's the appeal for you?

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Trix — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:52:42 GMT

I think the Christmas in July programs can evoke warm feelings I and many others have about the holiday seaon. Do the programs inspire me to shop? Not really, but apparently sales numbers must tell retailers that it does spark sales of items which otherwise would not sell well in the summer months. Overall, to me Christmas in July is a tolerable harmless retail gimmick.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

travelknit — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:56:42 GMT

I agree...it's just a gimmick to get people thinking about holiday shopping and buying. I've been avoiding those shows because I don't generally get in the Christmas spirit until the weather gets much cooler.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

StylishLady — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:03:53 GMT

Count me as "not in."

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:46:26 GMT

I think it's an opportunity to be inspired, while the days are long and not dreary, to think about what I might like to do for my friends and family at the holidays. I don't do a lot, but I do enjoy giving to loved ones thoughtfully. I have more energy in the summer. I used to like flying by the seat of my pants and waiting 'til the last minute, but now I prefer preparing in advance.

If I can get some "deals", too, well that's fine, and there are no crowds to battle. Plus, now I take stock of my seasonal decorations and make sure I know where everything is, so they're easy to get to. All while the garage is not an icebox.

I used to live in a waterman's town, and it was great fun when the local boaters would decorate their craft and cruise down the local creek. Happened every year.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

10000Nicknames — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:50:02 GMT

I can't imagine not celebrating Christmas, house cat. That makes me sad for you. So if Christmas in July brings you some Christmas spirit, that's great! It's not about the shopping, its about the joy!!

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Snowpuppy — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 03:00:36 GMT

I've had a couple of dumbed down Christmases but it wasn't the same. I was overworked, didn't take any time to decorate, bake, etc. I felt so guilty because in my 20's I went all out, baked for others, etc.

Last 2 years I said I was going to get someone to help me, even if it's just cleaning help and take extra time off to prepare.

CIJ......it's a meh. Havent tuned in or bought a thing.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

LoriMI — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 03:57:06 GMT

i usually change the channel. Too early to shop. I also make all my gifts for people. I start in January.

One year I did oil paintings for everyone. Next year was custom embroidery on a bathrobe. Next was I made quilts. The next was homemade pottery.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

brbfromTX — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 03:57:10 GMT

I enjoy Christmas any time of year. It is a very special and sentimental time of year for many reasons. It is a joyful time of rememberence and celebration with family we only see a couple times a year. I appreciate the opportunity to spread out my purchasing so it doesn't come all at once.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

house_cat — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 04:23:44 GMT

@10000Nicknames wrote:
I can't imagine not celebrating Christmas, house cat. That makes me sad for you. So if Christmas in July brings you some Christmas spirit, that's great! It's not about the shopping, its about the joy!!

Don't worry for me, BonAtTheBeach. We celebrate in a low-key, quiet way. We made a big fuss when my kids were little. Maybe when there are grandchildren we'll be inspired again.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Goldengate8361 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 05:08:18 GMT

I'm happy for people that enjoy x-mas in July. For me, however, I find it to be fairly revolting.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Kachina624 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 05:14:34 GMT

It seems to take extra mental effort to even think about Christmas when it's 95 degrees outside. I don't want to expend the energy and I'm just not interested. It's hard for me to understand why anyone would be enthused about it.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Danielle46 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 10:48:01 GMT

I have always felt that it's totally inappropriate and just QVC's way of getting ahead of the competition. There are no stores here in NY that do this and they don't acknowlege it on their websites either. To me, marketing Christmas in July is a total turn off.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

rac71 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 10:48:59 GMT

Dunno. I'm Jewish, so the whole concept is lost on me. I also get tired of the month-long CIJ movie marathons. What it communicates to me is that Christmas is the only time people should think of their fellow man. Bad message.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:05:08 GMT

Not a fan of CIJ, but I can see the appeal. As others have said, some people just LOVE Christmas -- the overall feel, the look, the cookies, the family time. Christmas can be emotional (in both good and bad ways), and CIJ plays up the positive emotions of Christmas. No harm in that.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

lucymo — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:11:56 GMT

To be honest, the appeal of CIJ on QVC is lower prices on new merchandise. I'm always anxious to see all the new items that are shown then. This year the Q is offering sale prices on some of the older merchandise that I've seen and liked but just never ordered, now I order and save a few $$ too. It's all about the Christmas decor and buying a few gifts early on to me.

Housecat, I hope you can get in the spirit this year and enjoy the Holiday season when it comes around.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Mominohio — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:22:54 GMT

@Danielle46 wrote:
I have always felt that it's totally inappropriate and just QVC's way of getting ahead of the competition. There are no stores here in NY that do this and they don't acknowlege it on their websites either. To me, marketing Christmas in July is a total turn off.

I'm in my mid 50's and in Ohio, all my life, clear back to the days of downtown shopping in only mom and pop local stores, there has been Christmas in July promotions by retail.

Love it or hate it, I think it originated to bring in some business during a very slow retail time, when people were otherwise occupied (rural areas with farming work, town folk with kids at home from school and vacations) and needed to be enticed to come inside un air conditioned shops and stores, and boost the bottom line of the local retailers.

As retail grew, so did the practice and scope to what we see today.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Mominohio — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:38:09 GMT

I love the CIJ programming, and always have. I have always loved Christmas, and gone all out, with decor, food, gifting, volunteering, and enjoying the entertainment of the season through plays, concerts etc.

Some people see Christmas merchandising at any time of the year as an offense to the true meaning of the season, but it is, only if you let it be.

I can't control anyone else's behavior, thoughts, or feelings, but I can my own. I don't have to buy hundreds of presents for every distant acquaintance in my life, or spend thousands of dollars each year on new and excessive lighting and decor, if I don't believe it represents the season. I can choose not to participate in that way, yet not be offended by those who do.

I can choose to skip any type of programming on any channel that doesn't meet my needs or likes. We now have hundreds of channels to choose from, and can look at guides before we even tune in, so as not to even expose ourselves to endless sappy holiday movies or shopping channel extravaganzas, if we desire not to partake.

I can understand people who don't find joy in the season, for many reasons, and people who don't celebrate the season for religous or personal reasons wishing the reminders weren't there. But in reality, I don't relish bikini/beach season, because I don't enjoy that lifestyle, yet I don't deny others the pleasure of the sun and the beach. I just don't participate, and amuse myself with other things during that season.

For me, I guess it boils down to the fact that anytime we are bringing people together where fun, peace, love, sharing, giving, kindness, and other positive experiences are shared, it can't be a bad thing, even if it is out of synch with the calendar.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:46:50 GMT

I like pretty things and decorating my house for really any Holiday. CIJ for me, just gives me ideas for Christmas. All the craft stores around me have or are in the process of receiving Holiday merchandise.

I can sit back when it storms or is too hot and humid to work in the garden and work on craft projects that I alsways wanted to do and never had time because I was working.

I am not one of those that has their Christmas shopping done by August....I do that in December.

Re: What is the appeal of "Christmas in July"?

Winkk — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:40:22 GMT

@travelknit wrote:
I agree...it's just a gimmick to get people thinking about holiday shopping and buying. I've been avoiding those shows because I don't generally get in the Christmas spirit until the weather gets much cooler.

I agree. I do not like Christmas in July but it must make retailers money or they wouldn't do it. It's all about the money.